Thursday, 19 July 2012

SMSL to Fight ON - No decision Yet on Lynas’ Defamation Injunction

Yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur high court, Judge John Louis O’Hara set the judgment date for the defamation injunction application from Lynas to next Thursday 26th July. The court heard arguments from both Lynas and SMSL counsels. SMSL was represented by senior counsel Datuk Bastian who defended SMSL’s rights to raise issues of public interest.

Mr Tan Bun Teet, the spokesperson for SMSL and a defendant named in the Lynas writ commented, “In any democracy, citizens have the rights to voice out. Here we are dealing with the world’s biggest rare earth plant which was built without any consultation with the public, located in a swampy area so close to the sea and the population. We as informed and concerned citizens cannot simply sit back and do nothing.”

SMSL was joined by 90 concerned citizens, including one bus-load of very enthusiastic and committed supporters from the southern state of Johor. Many who attended the court hearing yesterday had been there for the third time in the last couple of months. They felt very strongly about Lynas attempting to gag citizens from raising issues of national and public interests.

“SMSL has been given a clear mandate by our members and supporters to fight Lynas till the end. This is a David and Goliath battle. We will take all appropriate steps to make sure that we pursue every possible avenue available to keep our country clean and safe for now and for the future.” Mr Tan concluded.

This news story is erroneous and factually incorrect because SMSL has made NO such apology or retraction. SMSL is determined to and will continue to defend the rights of citizens to free speech, to campaign for a clean and safe future for our family and our country.